Currently, Courage to Change is considered an EUSD independent study and the boys are taught on-site.

Last week, Susan Gambini, co-founder of Courage to Change, addressed school board members, letting them know they made the wrong decision.

"Our children don't belong on Exeter campuses," Gambini said. "There has been no communication."

In fact, Gambini said the decision to end the long-standing agreement was made in January, but Courage to Change administrators weren't notified until Feb. 28.

The break-up letter

At the Jan. 10 board meeting, the decision was made to terminate the contract, according to the agenda.

Board members raised concerns about how the educational portion of the program was being run, as well as the negative impact the children would have on the district's testing within the state.

Gambini said she was not notified of the decision, she said. Superintendent Tim Hire, on Jan. 31, told Gambini that the board was "considering" not renewing the contract. Gambini and staff were told during that meeting board members had questions regarding Courage to Change.

Staff said they were willing to discuss the concerns and waited for the district to set up a meeting.

A few weeks later, Gambini heard from the district. It wasn't the response she expected.

The Feb. 28 termination letter stated:

"On behalf of the Exeter Unified School District, we would like to inform you that the agreement between Courage to Change and Exeter Unified School District will be terminated on June 30, 2018...The district has been pleased with our prior relationship and it is our wish to part on good terms."

The letter came as a shock to staff at Courage to Change, who said the district has shown little interest in the group home up until this point.

Hire said Courage to Change isn't blameless.

"Both sides haven't been perfect," he said. "We can all stand to communicate a little more and a little better."

Exeter Unified School District terminated a 20-year agreement with Courage to Change.(Photo: Sheyanne N Romero)

20 years in the making

Last week was the first time board members and Courage to Change staff met to discuss the termination notice.

They also discussed the possibility of creating a new contract.

Board Chairman Dean Sutton said many were unfamiliar with how the program was run and the part EUSD played in educating the boys. He said he spoke on behalf of other board members who also had concerns.

Gambini explained that according to the contract, Courage to Change was responsible for:

Maintaining general liability insurance for the students and teachers

Providing credentialed teachers

Maintaining and submitting required reports as requested by the district's independent study coordinator

Providing regular and high-quality instruction for the enrolled students

"We don't understand. [The contract] was clear when we started, the district did its due diligence," Gambini said. "There hasn't been any problems."

There are three classrooms at the facility, located on the outskirts of the city on Anderson Road. Students are also offered vocational programs including auto shop and welding.

Teachers and staff go through a stringent background check by the Department of Justice.

Larry Goates, an assistant program manager, said students are taught using a "hands-on" method. Students are not just given independent study packets, he added.

"We are trying to simulate something these kids might face in the future," he said.

Many who walk through the center's doors are "severely credit" deficient and are given the opportunity to catch up.

"We think everyone can be put on track to graduate," he said.

Last year, 15 students graduated with their high school diplomas.

Exeter Unified School District terminated a 20-year agreement with Courage to Change.(Photo: Sheyanne N Romero)

The boys of Courage to Change

The boys who live at Courage to Change are wards of the state. Many have been charged with serious felonies.

Currently, there are roughly 25 boys at the ranch — most are gang affiliated and came into the program with drug and alcohol dependencies.

Receiving an on-site learning experiences is crucial to the success of the boys, Goates said. Students are in school most of the day and follow a strict schedule.

Integrating this "high-risk" population on public high school campuses poses a public safety threat, said Cliff Bush, aftercare specialist for Courage to Change.

Bush is the former Exeter police chief.

He added that putting the students on traditional campuses could have a "detrimental effect on students."

"They are masters of manipulation," he called the boys.

Sutton reassured residents that the boys at the group home would not be attending Exeter Union High School or Kaweah High School.

"We have self-contained facilities where we'd place these students," Sutton said.

However, there are only three high school sites students could be assigned to — EUHS, KHS and Exeter Community Day School.

The day school has yet to open.

Additionally, Goates said it's unlikely all of the Courage to Change students would be assigned to Exeter Community Day School.

"That sounds a lot like segregation," he said.

Hire said there was "zero chance" Courage to Change boys would be allowed to attend Exeter campuses.

He added that the district wants what is best for those students.

"It's time to revisit [the contract]," he said. "We want to provide the right education."

A possible stipulation in the contract would be that boys accepted into Courage to Change would need to be evaluated by a district employee. The district would be more involved in the education of the students, Hire said.

Goates said he welcomed input from the district.

"It feels like we are on an island," he said. "We would love to be invited to discuss these kids."

Time is of the essence, Hire said.

"We want to have it in place," Hire said. "We need to keep the ball rolling."

Sutton said the board would contact Gambini this week to discuss the matter.